The cannabis industry is a hot topic in business right now. In Canada, nearly 700 job openings need to be filled in the cannabis sector alone. From agronomists to data collection to manufacturing, employers in the cannabis sector need to find talent for unprecedented positions in a candidate-driven market – and it won’t be easy. In order to be more effective in these hiring processes, it’s helpful to consider exactly what’s attracting people to careers in cannabis, and what’s scaring them away.
To get started, we’ve broken down some of the most common thoughts candidates have about beginning their career in cannabis – the good, the bad and the ugly.
I think I can, I think I cannabis!
Here’s a look at some common factors that make people want to work in the cannabis sector.
- Exciting, growing industry with new roles, challenges and opportunities
- Companies are small and just beginning, which means getting in early with stock options
- Passionate workers get to learn about new products and benefits first
- Chance to develop new and unique processes with expertise from other industries
- Cannabis workers are seeing green – wages in cannabis production are rising fast with sought after skills like cultivation
- Challenging societal norms like how people view cannabis and what impact it has on health
Saying No To Drugs
So what are the reasons holding people back from pursuing a career in the cannabis sector?
- Quick growth in the industry means companies may have undefined processes, roles, and job scopes
- Legislation for the industry is far from finalized and may cause bumps down the road
- Possible lifetime bans at the U.S. border (not true – see below)
- The fear that working in the cannabis industry may impede people’s ability to get hired elsewhere
- With so many new companies, likely not all will survive and be competitive
- General perception of working in the controversial cannabis industry
An Expert’s Perspective
We recently sat down with Brandon Hillis, Employment & Labour Lawyer with Roper Greyell LLP, to hear his perspective on pursuing a career in cannabis:
So What’s Next?
Address common concerns and misconceptions right in the job posting or initial phone conversation. For example – An updated statement released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection says that Canadians who work in the cannabis industry will be admissible to the U.S. (Provided the purpose of travel isn’t related to the cannabis industry.)
Careers in cannabis aren’t for everyone. People with an entrepreneurial spirit who aren’t afraid of the unknowns will flourish in this exciting new sector. But be aware of what may be holding candidates back from joining your team, and address those concerned up front.